Upward Group | Who we are

Seeing both sides changes how we think about companies.

Upward was built from the inside of the journey — not from the sidelines. Before advising companies, we built them. We raised capital, launched products, grew teams, negotiated partnerships, and navigated the uncertainty that comes with trying to grow something meaningful. We have also spent years inside the world of capital — structuring complex transactions, evaluating businesses, and sitting on the other side of the negotiating table.

Upward is not a traditional advisory firm running processes from a distance. We are trusted partners to founders and leadership teams, bringing clarity, financial rigor, and practical judgement to the moments that matter most.

Danielle Brants

Danielle Brants is a senior executive and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience across capital markets, M&A, and technology. She began her career at Morgan Stanley, Evercore, and GE LATAM, working on complex cross-border transactions across multiple industries. She later co-founded Árvore Educação, where as Chief Product Officer she helped scale Brazil’s largest B2B digital reading platform to millions of students, building partnerships with more than 400 publishers and leading product innovation in AI-driven learning.

Danielle’s work has been recognized by leading institutions such as Schwab Foundation & Folha de S. Paulo, MIT Innovators Under 35 and Global EdTech Startups Awards. She is a Lifetime Fellow at the Unreasonable Group and sits on the Executive Committee for Social Responsibility and Sustainability at Hospital Alemão Oswaldo Cruz. She holds a BBA from FGV-EAESP and is an Investor at the GV Angels community.

EXPERIENCE

20+ Years

Experience across capital markets, M&A, entrepreneurship, and technology.

Concluded Transactions

$2.0 Billions

M&As, public equity offerings and private fundraisings.

GLOBAL RECOGNITION

MIT & Schwab Foundation

Recognized by leading global institutions for innovation and impact.

The conversation starts here

We work with a selective number of companies, in senior-to-senior advisory projects.

If you are facing a moment that will shape the future of your company, we invite you to a confidential, exploratory conversation.

Strategic advisors who have built companies, negotiated deals and led growing teams.

Seeing both sides changes how we think about companies.

The conversation starts here

Connect with us